17 August,2026 12:03 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Asim Riaz and Himanshi Khurana (Picture via Facebook)
Himanshi Khurana has reacted to the intense online debate surrounding her recent remarks about religion and her past relationship with Asim Riaz. The actress, who recently opened up about her personal experiences during an appearance on Paras Chhabra's podcast, appeared to dismiss the controversy, calling it a "storm in a teacup".
Himanshi addressed the reactions through a note shared on her now deleted Instagram Story. She said the media had turned what she considered a minor discussion about her life experience into a major public debate, despite her not speaking negatively about anyone.
The controversy began after Himanshi spoke about her relationship with Asim and the religious differences that contributed to their eventual separation. The former couple met and fell in love during their stint on Bigg Boss 13 and dated for around four years before announcing their breakup in December 2023. At the time, they cited their different religious beliefs as the reason for ending their relationship.
During the podcast, Himanshi was asked about reports that she had been considering converting to another religion while she was in a relationship with Asim. She clarified that she would not describe the situation as "conversion". Instead, she recalled how her partner would speak to her about the positive aspects of his religion and wanted her to understand and accept them.
Himanshi said she was not comfortable with the idea. She also stressed that there was nothing wrong with him and that he had never misbehaved with her. According to her, the issue was ultimately about her own choice and her relationship with her faith.
The actress further revealed that the situation left her questioning her spiritual identity. She recalled feeling as though she was betraying God and said she wanted to visit important pilgrimage sites before making any decision about her faith. Her comments suggested that the conflict was deeply personal rather than an allegation of wrongdoing against her former partner.
Himanshi's latest statement appears to be an attempt to put the discussion into perspective. By describing the controversy as a "storm in a teacup", she indicated that she did not intend for her personal account to become a larger public debate.
Her comments have nevertheless renewed interest in her relationship with Asim, particularly the religious differences that were cited when the couple announced their separation. Despite the renewed scrutiny, Himanshi has maintained that she was speaking about her own experiences and choices rather than making accusations against anyone post their breakup.
